263Rd COMBAT COMMUNICATIONS SQUADRON

263rd COMBAT COMMUNICATIONS SQUADRON

MISSION

LINEAGE 263rd Communications Squadron (Operations), organized Oct 1952 Federally recognized, 3 Nov 1952 Redesignated 263rd Communications Squadron (Tributary Teams), 1 Oct 1960 Redesignated 263rd Mobile communications Squadron (Contingency), 16 Mar 1968 Redesignated 263rd Combat Communications Squadron Redesignated 263rd Combat Information Systems Squadron, 1 Jul 1985 Redesignated 263rd Combat Communications Squadron, 1 Oct 1986

STATIONS Wadesboro, NC Badin ANGS, Albermarle, NC, 1 April 1961

ASSIGNMENTS 281st Combat Communications Group

COMMANDERS 1LT John K. Tyson, 1952 Cpt Frank W. Vanderbeck, 1954 LTC Oroon D. Palmer, 1955 LTC Kenneth G. Tilley, 1971 LTC Frederick R. Keith, Jr., 1976 LTC Victor M. Lefkowitz, 1986 LTC Robert M. Stonestreet, 1991 LTC David M. Smith, 1994 Maj Gary T. Ciampa, 2000 LTC Joseph B. Simmons II, 2002 LTC Robert B. McManis, 2006

HONORS Service Streamers

Campaign Streamers

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers

Decorations Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1971-72 1980-81 1983-85 1 Jan 1987-30 Dec 1988 1993-94

EMBLEM

MOTTO

OPERATIONS The Wadesboro and Badin detachments of the NCANG were reorganized op 8 October 1952 into one composite squadron which was redesignated the 263rd Communications Squadron (Operations). The mission of the unit was to provide necessary communications support to any Air Force organization to which it may be attached or assigned.

Headquarters for the unit were established at Wadesboro, with a detachment located at Badin. Both locations occupied the new facilities that had been under construction when the 118th AC&W was activated

The 263rd Communications Squadron received Federal recognition on 3 November 1952. First Lieutenant John K. Tyson was appointed commander and several officers and former members of the 118th enlisted in the new squadron.

First Lieutenant Robert H. Casper was selected as officer-in-charge of the Badin detachment. Master Sergeants Walter H. Waddell and Donald B. Carrick were re-employed as full-time technicians at their respective locations.

The 263rd Communications Squadron (Operations), organized during 8 October 1952, Headquarters in Wadesboro, NC and Detachment one in Badin, NC. 8 officers and 100 airmen.

NCANG officers and airmen formerly assigned to Detachment "B" (Wadesboro) and Detachment "C" (Badin), 118th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, NCANG, were reassigned/enlisted in the new 263rd Communications Squadron (Operations), NCANG.

The mission of the unit was to provide necessary communications support to any Air Force organization to which it may be attached or assigned.

In 1953, the first annual training for the new 263rd Communications Squadron was conducted at Robins Air Force Base. GA. Three officers and forty-nine enlisted personnel participated in the June deployment.

Badin's 263rd Communications Squadron became a subordinate unit of the 251st Communications Group, Springfield, OH, on 29 January 1954.

During July 1954, the 263rd again conducted annual training at Robins AFB, Georgia. Four officers and eighty-two airmen were in attendance.

Personnel of the 263rd were called to state active duty to provide disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Hazel in October 1954.

The 263rd CS (OP) was reorganized effective 1 June 1955, in accordance with Tables of Organization Number 1-2233, Department of the Air Force, dated 1 June 1955. Authorized strength: 8 officers, 0 warrant officers and 100 airmen.

263rd personnel were called to state active duty from 13 through 20 August 1955 to provide disaster relief for victims of Hurricanes Connie and Diane.

Construction was completed at the Wadesboro site to almost double the size of the building due to increases in personnel and equipment.

1955 was the last year that unit training assemblies were held on week nights. Beginning with 1956, unit training assemblies were scheduled for one weekend each month with UTA schedules from 0800 to 1700 on Saturdays and Sundays.

1956 Annual Training of the 263rd was conducted at Donaldson AFB, Greenville, SC and at North Field, SC. This was the first exercise conducted by the 263rd under total field, bare bones, conditions.

A home station annual training exercise was conducted at the 263rd's Wadesboro installation in July 1957.

Combined units of the North Carolina Air National Guard relieved units of the North Carolina Army National Guard who had been performing state active duty during a bitter textile plant strike in Henderson, NC. Three hundred Air Guardsmen were called to State Active Duty beginning 7 June 1959, to maintain law and order at the Harriet-Henderson textile mills in Henderson, NC where a bitter and bloody strike had been going on for several months. These Air Guardsmen were under the command of Colonel Henry C. Byrd, Jr. of Charlotte. The strike ended when NCANG personnel and State Bureau of Investigation personnel caught several leaders of the strike as they attempted to blow up the mill's power station. In July, the 263rd's annual training was conducted at Kickapoo State Park, Danville, Illinois. Unit personnel performed the training under field conditions. The mission was basically the same as in 1958, to provide radio and teletype communications. , this year the unit supported the 115th AC&W Squadron from Dothan, Alabama. Unit personnel logged over 1500 road miles to convoy equipment to and from the annual training location.

The 263rd Communications Squadron (Operations) was redesignated 263rd Communications Squadron (Tributary Teams), effective 1 October 1960, without change of stations (Wadesboro and Badin, NC) or date of Federal Recognition. New authorized strength: 11 officers and 218 airmen. This resulted in an increase in strength of 3 officers and 118 airmen. Operating space immediately became a problem. A decision was made by the Adjutant General of North Carolina. Major General Claude T. Bowers, to relocate the headquarters from Wadesboro to Badin. Funds were appropriated for an addition to the Badin facility to include construction of a motor vehicle repair shop. Gaining Command: Air Force Communications Service. The 251st Communications Group, Ohio ANG, was the parent group for mobilization and training purposes.4. The 263rd Communications Squadron (Tributary Teams) ceased operations at Wadesboro, NC, 31 March 1961, and opened for business at Badin, North Carolina, effective 0001 hours, 1 April 1961.

On 31 March 1961 the official order was signed changing the headquarters to Badin and designating Wadesboro as a detachment. Major O. D. Palmer, the commander of the unit since July 1955, was employed full-time to fill the position of "Detachment Commander" for the 263rd.

Communications tributary teams were deployed to McConnell AFB and Forbes AFB in Kansas, with additional personnel deployed to Richard Gebaur AFB and Whiteman AFB in Missouri for annual field training exercises. Squadron headquarters personnel performed training at Scott AFB, Illinois.

In October, the 263rd was put on "alert" for the Cuban Missile Crisis. Equipment was prepared for movement; a few days later the alert was canceled.

The 263 MCS participated in exercise "Long Haul II" 13-27 July 1963. The main body trained at Fort Campbell, KY, with tributary teams deployed to Blytheville AFB, AR; Dobbins AFB, GA and McGhee Tyson AFS, Alcoa, TN.

263rd personnel were ordered to state active duty to search for a missing child in the Badin vicinity on 16 March.

A modern food service facility was approved for the Badin installation in 1966. An additional wing to the original structure was added to include a kitchen and dining area. The new dining area was designed for joint use as an assembly room. Portable partitions for six much needed classrooms were installed. The project was completed in October 1966.

Personnel of the 263 MCS participated in exercise "Ready Answer" for field training in 1966. In conjunction with other units of the 251st Communications Group, unit personnel provided a communication network which extended over the central United States from the Canadian border to the Gulf of Mexico. The main body of personnel and equipment were located at Fort Chafee, AR, with tributary teams at Keesler AFB, MS; Brookley AFB, AL; Maxwell AFB, AL and Tinker AFB, OK.

In 1967, the 263rd deployed to Bakalar AFB, Columbus, IN, but unlike the deployment of 1965, personnel and equipment were housed in a "tent city". Tributary teams were deployed to Hulman Field, IN; Springfield-Beckley Airport, OH; Baer Field, IN; Toledo Airport, Toledo, OH; Lambert Field, MO; Altus AFB, OK and Peoria Airport, IL.

The unit was redesignated the 263rd Mobile Communications Squadron (Contingency) on 16 March 1968 and assigned to the 251st Mobile Communications Group, Ohio ANG. Authorized strength: 11 officers and 174 airmen.

During the period 13-27 July 1968, personnel of the 263 MCS participated in exercise "Guard Strike II" with the primary operations site located at Glenview Naval Air Station, IL. Tributary teams were located at Traux Field, Madison, WI; Duluth, MN; Springfield, IL and in Ohio.

The 263rd was ordered to state active duty from 17 - 24 February 1969 to provide disaster relief and aid to residents of Anson County, NC. The county was stricken with major power outages resulting from a severe ice storm. Unit personnel provided and operated power generators to dairy farmers to operate milking machines. Power was also provided to public facilities, rural schools, well pumps and freezer units. Power in some areas had been off for several days and food in freezers had begun to thaw.

During the period 19 July - 2 August the majority of unit personnel participated in home station annual training at Badin, with several teams deployed to the Wadesboro facility. Specialized training was given to some unit personnel who were deployed during this time period to Andrew s AFB, MD and Pope AFB, NC.

In May of 1976, the 263rd participated in exercise "Solid Shield 76" with personnel and equipment being deployed to Pope AFB and Seymour Johnson AFB, NC.

Major Frederick R. Keith, Jr., a former enlisted member of the squadron, assumed command of the squadron on 5 June 1976. Rising from the rank of Airman Basic (March 1957), he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in December 1958, ultimately to be promoted to Major General. Lt Col Keith relieved Lt Col Kenneth G. Tilley as squadron commander, who was immediately reassigned to the Adjutant General's Office in Raleigh, as Executive Officer for the NCANG.

The 263rd CCS participated in exercise "Bold Eagle 78" at Hurlburt Field, FL 8 October - 2 November 1977. This was a joint exercise involving active duty Air Force, Army and Reserve personnel. The entire exercise lasted for four weeks, with half of the squadron's personnel participating during the first two weeks and the remainder of the last two weeks.

The operating location (Detachment 1) of the 263rd CMBTS located at the Wadesboro ANG Station, moved to the Badin ANG Station in the late 1970's. The Wadesboro ANG Station was transferred to the US Army Reserve.

Badin ANG personnel participated in two North American Treaty Organization (NATO) exercises in the Spring and Fall of 1980. Approximately 50 unit members participated in exercise "Dawn Patrol 80" at Eskisehir Air Base, Turkey in April and May. Later that year, 72 unit members participated in exercise "Coronet Mach" in Leek, Germany. Unit members supported the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing from Myrtle Beach AFB, SC, during the Germany deployment. A third exercise, "Quick Thrust 2-80" also allowed unit members additional training during the year. Several members of the squadron participated in this active duty exercise at Travis Field in Savannah, GA.

The 263rd CCSQ received its First desk top computer (a Zenith 100 series computer) in October, 1984.

The 263rd Combat Communications Squadron, NCANG. Badin, NC was redesignated 263rd Combat Information Systems Squadron, NCANG, without change in station, authorized strength, Federal Recognition date, or gaining command (AFCC), effective 1 July 1985.

The unit was redesignated the 263rd Combat Communications Squadron (CCS) on 1 October 1986. The reason cited by the National Guard Bureau for the change was that the terminology was more meaningful to all personnel and more indicative of the unit's mission.

The 263rd Combat Information Systems Squadron, NCANG, was redesignated 263rd Combat Communications Squadron, NCANG, without change in station, authorized strength, Federal Recognition date, or gaining command (AFCC), effective 1 October 1986.

The 263rd was the First ANG combat communications squadron to receive a satellite communications terminal (TSC-100A) - Jan 1988.

A program action plan (PAP) was initiated on 23 September 1988 by the National Guard Bureau to establish a new unit at the Badin location to be tasked with a NATO mission. The new unit would be designated as a NATO Air Base Satellite (NABS) communications unit. The new unit was scheduled to be activated in January 1989.

Badin NCANG personnel were alerted on 9 August 1990 by 281 CCG Headquarters staff to begin preparation for a probable "real world" deployment to the Persian Gulf to participate in Operation Desert Shield, the Persian Gulf military operation set into motion when Iraq's President, Saddam Hussein, invaded the tiny nation of Kuwait in August. Unit personnel and equipment readiness actions were immediately set into motion in anticipation of a deployment. The first member of the unit to deploy was TSgt James R. Wood of the 118 CCSQ, who volunteered and deployed in Oman on 13 September. Soon to follow were two members of the 263rd selected to deploy for 90-day tours; SMSgt Tony C. Hinson deployed to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and SSgt Timothy L Arrington, who deployed to King Khalid Military City, also in Saudi Arabia. On 23 October the 263 CCSQ received formal tasking to deploy a TTC-39 telephone switching system.

The 263 CCSQ was notified that its gaining command would change on 1 October from the Air Force Communications Command (AFCC) to the Tactical Airlift Command (TAG); HQ NCANG Special Order G-l officially redesignated the change. The change did not affect the unit's wartime tasking, worldwide responsibilities or group headquarters tasking.

Major Robert M. Stonestreet, detachment commander for the Badin Station, volunteered for deployment to Saudi Arabia on 17 January, the day before the air war began over Iraq, to relieve Captain Danny G. Grouse who returned to home station on the same day following a 30- day deployment in the Gulf. The mission of the unit when the air war began (now called Desert Storm) remained the same throughout: install, operate and maintain a TTC-39 A Automatic Circuit Switching System for the US Marine corps Headquarters deployed near the Kuwaiti border.

The last of the 263rd's Desert Storm volunteers returned from the Persian Gulf on 21 April. A total of 23 station personnel from the 118th and 263rd units participated in the combined Desert Shield/Desert Storm operation On 7 September 1991, a change of command ceremony was conducted at the Badin Station.

The First deployment of Badin ANG Station personnel by airlift from the Albemarle-Stanly County airport took place in October, 1993, when station personnel departed for Exercise Bright Star 94 in Egypt.

SrA Randy S. McClure, 263 CBCS member, deployed to South America for a 45-day temporary tour of duty on 20 December 1996 in support of Operation Constant Vigil, a federal counter drug program operation.

On 13 January 1997, Major Danny G. Crouse, the 263rd's full-time chief of maintenance, departed for a 45 day tour of temporary duty in support of Operation Desert Focus at Eskan Village, Saudi Arabia.

In April 1997 The 263rd Combat Communications Squadron assigned to the 9th Air Force in the Air Combat Command.

One hundred forty-five members of the 263 CBCS deployed to the ANG Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC), Savannah, GA on 14 June for a two-week period of annual training. The focus of the deployment would center on two Operational Readiness Exercises (ORE) which were to be conducted to enhance the unit's ability to achieve high marks on an Air Force Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI) scheduled for June 1998. In support of the deployment, two military convoys, each comprised of 18 vehicles loaded with communications and support equipment, departed the Badin Air National Guard station on Sunday morning, June 15, arriving Savannah late in the evening. On the following day, hampered by intense heat, humidity and stormy weather, personnel set about the arduous task of installing two communications operations sites, one at either end of the installation's airfield. The operational mission of the exercise was to test the unit's ability to provide secure voice and data communications services while deployed in support of a (simulated) Minor Node. The unit's ability to accomplish this mission was measured by USAF Operational Readiness Inspection criteria

2005 27 Sep Fifty-four members assigned to the 228th Combat Communications Squadron, Tennessee ANG; 263d Combat Communications Squadron, North Carolina ANG, and the 267th Combat Communications Squadron, Massachusetts ANG, deployed in Title 32 status to Alexandria, Louisiana to provide communications support for hurricane relief operations.

The squadron was formed in January 1949, as part of the 118th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, Charlotte NC, with units in Badin and Wadesboro. Training facilities were non-existent in Badin when the unit was first formed, so meeting space was made available by the Aluminum Company of America’s (ALCOA) Badin Works Division above the Badin town library until training facilities could be built. In 1952, the Badin and Wadesboro units were reorganized into one composite unit with facilities in both locations and renamed the 263rd Combat Communications Group headquartered in Springfield, OH, with a mission tasking in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The squadron facilities were all moved to Badin in 1961 and the unit was redesignated the 263rd Mobile Communications Squadron in 1962. A final redesignation in the early 1970’s resulted in the present day designation as the 263rd Combat Communications Squadron. In 1988, the 263rd was transferred from their NATO mission with the 251st Combat Communications Group to the 281st Combat Communications Group in North Smithfield, RI, and a mission tasking with the US Central Command. In 2003, the squadron began transitioning from legacy equipment to new commercial-off-the-shelf equipment known as Theater Deployable Communications. In their new mission, the unit supports Air Combat Command (ACC) and as part of the 281st CCG, has recently become more involved with Homeland Defense through missions with Northern Command. The squadron relocated from the Badin site to a new Communications- Electronics Systems and Headquarters building at the New London Air National Guard Station in December 2008. In October 2009, the unit will once again transition; this time changing Major Commands from Air Combat Command (ACC) to Air Force Space Command (AFSPC). Additionally, the National Guard Bureau has tapped the 263rd to become a prototype unit for establishing an Active Network Defense Flight within the squadron. Research is currently underway with Air National Guard and state leadership on the most effective implementation and employment of the new Net-D Flight.

Over the years, personnel from the 263rd have distinguished themselves in support of numerous federal and state missions at home and abroad. During the Korea Conflict, the squadron was ordered to active duty and deployed in 1952 to French Morocco, North Africa, with the mission of calibrating early warning radar sites for Strategic Air Command. Elements from the unit were deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991, supporting the US Marines and providing the primary communications link back to the United States. Other major supported operations during the 1990’s include Operation Desert Focus in Saudi Arabia, Operations Steady State and Constant Vigil, both in South America, and Operation Joint Guard in Bosnia. Since 9/11, the unit has had members deployed almost every year, with major deployments to Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan and Iraq, totally over 150 personnel in support of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Major State Duty emergency relief and/or Homeland Defense missions include responding to every significant hurricane and ice storm to hit North Carolina, with the largest deployment being for Hurricane Fran in 1996. Additionally, the unit supported the 2009 Presidential Inauguration by deploying the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability (JISCC) to Fort AP Hill, Virginia. The JISCC team provided communications services that linked Joint Task Forces spread out from Pennsylvania to Virginia. The squadron has been awarded six Air Force Outstanding Combat Communications Unit Awards and two Governor’s citations. Additionally, in 1985 the unit was the first Combat Communications Squadron (active duty or Guard) to achieve an “Outstanding” rating on an Air Force Operational Readiness Inspection. In 2004, the unit received an outstanding percentage of 98% in compliance during an Air Combat Command Unit Compliance Inspection. Our most recent Air Force Operational Readiness Inspection in 2009 resulted in a rating of “Excellent”. And in a testament to the unit’s enduring legacy of excellence, the last 22 years worth of ACC Command COMSEC Inspections have resulted in “Outstanding” ratings every year.

2-TTC-39A(V)4 1-TSC-93B(V)1 8-TRC-170 2-TSQ-lll 2-TSC-129 1 -TASDAC Automatic Digital Switching System Full Duplex Satellite Communications Terminal Radio Set (Line of Sight or Troposheric Scatter Wideband Radio System Communications Nodal Control Element (CNCE) Hammer Rick Tactical Secure Data Communications System Generator Sets Support Equipment: 2aMobile ECUs: 54,000 BTU cooling & 36,400 BTU heating 25 Light Tree Sets 2 - 400 gallon water trailers 3-150 cubic foot walk-in freezers (electrical) 1 -600 cubic foot walk-in freezer

1958: Fort Knox, KY. 1959: Kickapoo State Park, Danville, IL. 1960: Travis Field, Savannah, GA; Shaw AFB, SC. 1961: Scott AFB, IL; Forbes AFB, KS; McConnell AFB, KS; Whiteman AFB, MI; Richards- Gebaur AFB, MI. 1962: Badin, NC; Langley AFB, VA; Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC; Pope AFB, NC; Ft Lee, VA. 1963: Ft Campbell, KY; Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; Zanesville ANGB, OH; Blytheville AFB, AK; Dobbins AFB, GA; McGhee-Tyson AF Station, TN. 1964 Memphis, TN; Columbus AFB, MS; Brookley AFB, AL; Keesler AFB, MS. 1965: Bakalar AFB, IN; Maxwell AFB, AL; Memphis MAP, Memphis, TN; Tinker AFB, OK; Ft Knox, KY. 1966: Ft Chaffee, AK; Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; Tinker AFB, OK; Maxwell AFB, AL; Keesler AFB, MS: Brookley AFB, AL. 1967: Bakalar ANGS, IN; Hulman Field, Terre Haute, IN; Capitol Airport, Springfield, IL; Baer Field, Ft Wayne, IN; Toledo Airport, Swanton, OH; Lambert Field, MI; Altus AFB, OK. 1968: Glenview NAS, Glenview, IL; Pope AFB, NC. 1969: Springfield ANG, OH; Andrews AFB, MD; Pope AFB, NC. 1970: Otis AFB, MA; Suffolk County ANGB, NY; Petersburg Mtn, Cobleskill, NY; Pine Hill Station, RI; Niagara Falls ANGB, NY. 1971: Cecil NAS, Jacksonville, FL; Gaylor-Hannah, MI; Shaw AFB, SC; Gulfport PFTS, MS; Savannah, GA. 1972: Truax ANGB, Madison, WI. 1973: Seymour-Johnson AFB, NC; Pink Hill, NC; Myrtle Beach AFB, SC; Pollocksville, NC; Comfort, NC; Hopewell Community, NC; Oak Grove (MCAAF), NC; Florence MAP, SC. 1974 Alpena ANGB, Ml; Camp Grayling, MI. 1975: Home Station (Badin & Wadesboro, NC) 1977: Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, FL. 1978: Eglin AFB, FL. 1979: Patrick AFB, FL; Bardufess, Norway; West Rayham, United Kingdom. 1980: Dawn Patrol, Eskisehir, Turkey; Coronet Mach, Leek, Germany; Quick Thrust, Travis Field, GA. 1981: Solid Shield, Camp Geiger, NC 1982: Quick Thrust, Savannah, GA 1983: Team Spirit, Sachon Air Base, South Korea 1984: Bold Eagle, Eglin AFB, FL (Lead Unit) 1985: Camp Mackall, NC 1986: Bold Eagle, Duke Field, FL; Ocean Venture, Puerto Rico; Camp Perry, OH. 1987: Oksboel, Karup, Denmark; Flintlock, Moron AB, Spain; Camp Perry, OH. 1988: Sentry Oasis 88, Otis ANG Base, MA. 1989: Sentry Oasis 89, Ft Indiantown Gap, PA 1990: Bright Star, Egypt; Sentry Oasis, Ft Huachuca, AZ; Operation Desert Shield, Saudi Arabia. 1991: Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia; Sentry Sand 91, Myrtle Beach AFB, SC. 1992: Sentry Combat, Camp Mackall, NC; Fuertes Cominos, Soto Cano, Honduras; Camp Mackall, NC. 1993: Roving Sands, Ft Bliss, TX; Bold Standard, Ft Pickett, VA; Bright Star, Egypt. 1994: Sentry Oasis, NAS Pensacola, FL. 1995: Bright Star, Egypt. 1996: Home Station, Badin, NC 1997: ANG CRTC, Savannah, GA; Bright Star 98, Egypt. 1999: ANG CRTC, Savannah, GA - Bright Star, Egypt 2000: AEF, SWA 2001: Operation Enduring Freedom and AEF, SWA 2002: Operation Enduring Freedom and AEF, SWA 2003: Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004: Operation Iraqi Freedom - Unit Compliance Inspection (UCI) - Hilo & Hickam AFB, HI – State Active Duty (SAD) activation four times for hurricanes 2005: AEF - NATO Support – ANG CRTC, Savannah, GA 2006: AEF - Operation Jumpstart - Operation Northern Lightning - ANG CRTC Volk Field, WI 2007: Operation Jumpstart - Security Forces Augmentee - Joint Forge – Operation Northern Lightning, ANG CRTC, Volk Field, WI – Exercise Ardent Sentry, Pentagon 2008: Joint Enterprise - Base Mission Support – Home Station, Operational Readiness Exercise 2009: Presidential Inauguration - Home Station, Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI), Rating: Excellent – Vigilant Guard, Puerto Rico

263 Mobile Communications Sq (Contg): The peacetime mission is to attain and maintain an optimum effective capability to carry out roles and tasks assigned in gaining command plans for use in an emergency, with capability to install, support, and maintain radio relays and mobile radio terminals at unprepared sites.

In 1968, the 263 Mobile Communications Squadron (Contg) participated in Exercise "Guard Strike 11", with personnel training at Glenview NAS, IL., Volk Field (ANG Training Site), Wis., Truax Field, Wis., Springfield ANGB, IL. Deluth International Airport, Minn., Altus AFB, Okla. Birmingham MAP, Ala., and Badin ANG Installation, Badin, NC. In 1969 this organization performed annual training at home stations, Badin and Wadesboro, NC. Both periods were highly effective in improving the overall capability of the 263 Mobile Communications. Squadron.

______Air Force Lineage and Honors Created: 5 Oct 2010 Updated: 18 Jul 2012

Sources Air Force Historical Research Agency. U.S. Air Force. Maxwell AFB, AL.